Pheasant's Tears Rkatsiteli

Georgia Wine Regions, Georgia

The defining expression of qvevri-fermented Rkatsiteli — Pheasant's Tears' flagship wine and a touchstone of the global amber wine movement. Whole clusters ferment in underground qvevri for 6 months of skin contact, producing a wine of extraordinary phenolic structure: deep amber-copper hue, intense dried apricot, walnut, saffron, quince, and mineral depth from Kakheti's volcanic soils. The long skin contact gives tannin structure unusual for a white grape — this is a food wine of remarkable versatility and aging potential (10-15 years).

Pairing intelligence

• main: Pheasant's Tears Rkatsiteli is the definitive pairing for satsivi — Georgia's iconic cold chicken in walnut sauce. The wine's phenolic structure and tannic grip from 6-month skin contact cuts through the dense walnut cream, while the dried fruit and spice character of qvevri Rkatsiteli amplifies the coriander-fenugreek spice profile. A pairing of deep cultural resonance — both wine and dish are expressions of Kakhetian identity.
• cheese: Pheasant's Tears Rkatsiteli's phenolic structure and oxidative complexity is the natural companion for aged sheep's milk cheese. The wine's tannic grip cuts through the fat while the dried stone fruit character amplifies the cheese's caramel depth. Walnut bread echoes the wine's walnut-skin phenolic note.
• main: Qvevri Rkatsiteli's tannic structure and oxidative depth makes it one of the rare white wines that can stand alongside rich duck preparations. The pomegranate molasses amplifies the wine's dried fruit character; coriander echoes its spice notes. A pairing that demonstrates why extended skin-contact whites belong at the centre of the dinner table.